Diego Forlan's incredible fun of form continued, as his 85th minute strike was the solitary goal in a rather dull European Cup game against already eliminated Panathanikos.

Despite Uefa Cup qualification still very-much possible for the Greek out-fit, only 5, 400 were in attendance to watch United pick up their third consecutive European Cup win.

The rather subdued atmosphere was improved by the noise generated by the 800 traveling fans from Manchester, who will now watch their side do battle with Stuttgart in the group decider, with both sides already qualified for the last stage following last nights results.

Sir Alex Ferguson started the game using a 4-5-1 formation and decided to rest Dutch master class Ruud van Nistelrooy. Diego Forlan started up front as a lone striker for the Red Devils.

United had the first real chance of the night when Markus Munch was on hand to stop Scots man Darren Fletcher from connecting with Ryan Giggs' inch-perfect cross.

Uruguayan international Diego Forlan forced a fantastic diving save out of Nikolopodis to dent United just before the half hour mark.

Both teams playing somewhat boring football in the first half both failed to dominate the game and take chances.

Half Time - Panathinaikos 0 - Manchester United 0

The Greeks applied more pressure in the second half and Rio Ferdinand got booked for a bad foul on Basinas.

It was the in-form striker Forlan that had the best chance of the game just after the hour mark when his left footed shot from a Ryan Giggs pass just went wide of the post.

United then went gung-ho looking for the winner and replaced Darren Fletcher with David Bellion, who's 21st birthday is on Thursday.

Forlan came closer to breaking the deadlock when a Quinton Fortune goal found Forlan from 12 yards out, but scuffed it wide.

But Forlan never gave up and persevered to the end to score a later winner with 5 minutes to go. 1-0 United.

Full Time- Panathinaikos 0 - Manchester United 1

Man Utd: Howard, O'Shea, Ferdinand, Silvestre, Fortune, Fletcher (Bellion 74), Kleberson, Butt, Ronaldo, Giggs, Forlan.
Subs Not Used: Carroll, Gary Neville, Phil Neville, van Nistelrooy, Pugh, Tierney.

It has to be the Uruguayan international that has to get the recognition he deserves so much.

Despite missing a few chances, Forlan taught us all a lesson about never giving up and finally got his goal.

"Diego could have scored two or three; he is always aware of chances, and his movement was good," said Sir Alex Ferguson

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